GOP's Two-Camp Divide: Big Donors Vs. Grassroots

Republican presidential hopefuls have divided into two marked camps: those who will fundraise with the help of big donors and those who will run a grassroots campaign, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The divide was on display at the Iowa Freedom Summit last weekend where a slate of would-be candidates stepped up to engage conservatives in what is seen as a kickoff rally for the new political season.

Missing were Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney, whose big donor support seems likely, concerned that some among the party faithful might see their similarities canceling one another out. The two would likely seek money from the same fundraising pool.

Those on the grassroots side, like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, pushed back on the establishment wing of the party in their speeches, the Journal noted.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who mines both grassroots and big money factions, inspired some with his hopeful message of broadening the GOP tent. But even he also waded into the social issues, taking pro-life issues head on — a tactic that could appeal to the party's deep-right wing if he makes his own presidential bid.

"We need a coalition that covers all parts of the country, all ethnicities, a coalition that is comprised at its core of our proud yet underserved and unrepresented working class," Christie, who had been successful as a fundraiser as head of the Republican Governors Association, told summit attendees, according to the Journal.

Already, the fight is on between Romney and Bush, according to The Fiscal Times, which outlined what many see as their likely fundraising battle ahead, should both make a presidential run.

While Romney has made overtures to likely supporters in Florida that he is seriously pondering a run, Jeb Bush's early announcement of a super PAC raised concern among politicos about his ability to siphon off donor money that Romney might also need, The Miami Herald said.